Spring at OTC Puravida
It’s looking like a busy time ahead in Weymouth as the waters begin to warm. OTC Puravida are running coaching clinics, special demos and much more over the spring.
SB Windwise coaching
Simon Bornhoft Windwise – Saturday 6th July
Core skills, super early planing, controlled blasting stance, fast tacks, gybe variations and much, much more!
In association with OTC, Simon Bornhoft will be running one of his renowned skill enhancing WINDWISE training courses at WPNSA this summer. SB is one of the world’s most experienced, effective and proven windsurfing coaches. He’s been featured in numerous windsurfing magazines around the world, written national coaching systems, produced various books, ebooks, videos and was part of the BBC windsurfing commentary for the 2012 Olympics. Simon has been very innovative in developing new fast track learning methods and has personally coached thousands of windsurfers of all levels to get the very best out of their time on the water.
Give your windsurfing a boost and try something new. You’ll discover and take away the exact skills that make the biggest impact on your progression. Small groups, proven results, SB’s renowned intuitive coaching, individual attention, 1-2-1 and video feedback and more!
Starboard and Tushingham Speed / Slalom Demo Centre
The OTC powered by Puravida Boardriders has teamed up with Tushingham and Starboard to offer you the unique opportunity to test all the latest Speed and Slalom kit available.
For the month of March this will only cost you £10 an hour without having to register for membership and you will have the ability to swap your equipment as many times as you would like during the period so you can test as much as you would like.
There is a great range of kit available including:
W54 Carbon Construction
90L Carbon Construction
97L Wood Construction
107L Wood Construction
110L Carbon Construction
117L Wood Construction
Starbord Futura:
111L Wood Construction
121L Carbon Construction
131L Carbon Construction
Tushingham X-15 Sails:
6.4m
7.0m
7.6m
Find out more about all that’s going on at the OTC powered by Puravida here.
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Slalom / Speed Demo Centre at OTC in Weymouth
For the month of March this will only cost you £10 an hour without having to register for membership and you will have the ability to swap your equipment as many times as you would like during the period, so you can test as much as you would like. Make sure you head down to the OTC to take advantage of this amazing offer!
There is a great range of kit available including:
Starboard iSonic:
W54 Carbon Construction
90L Carbon Construction
97L Wood Construction
107L Wood Construction
110L Carbon Construction
117L Wood Construction
Starbord Futura:
111L Wood Construction
121L Carbon Construction
131L Carbon Construction
Tushingham X-15 Sails:
6.4m
7.0m
7.6m
For more information head to http://uk.otc-windsurf.com/march-demo/ or email info@otc-windsurf.com
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Tushingham
SWA PlymEx Cuave 8th-10 February
Jim from Puravida had given the call for all wave sailors to head to the Bluff for 11am on Saturday, whilst everybody else headed to Siblyback Lake. The wave sailors were met with an overcast sky, low winds and no sign of any descent swell, so this twinned with everyone’s hangovers resulted in a pretty low mood at the beach. However, spirits were lifted when Jim, Sarah Bibby, Stefan Hilder and Ian Manuel Ross provided an interesting talk including board design, fins and kit choice, which we all found extremely useful. With the wind showing no sign of improving, Sam Ross and Luke Green from Tushingham stepped up to the plate and tempted everyone into their wetsuits with the promise of a one-design windSUP competition with prizes provided by Tushingham.
17 competitors took to the water and with the help of the increasing sized waves, an enthusiastic commentary from Sam Ross and a bit of friendly competition; everybody was having a great time. Due to the incoming tide, we moved the completion round into the river mouth where we were met with some pretty meaty waves. Shapes were being thrown left, right and centre on the SUPs and the final came down to Louis Morris (Bristol), Tom Firth (Cardiff) and I. However, at the end of my semi-final I suffered a knock to the head from the SUP, and therefore struggled to make any sort of impression in the final. So it was a two horse race between Tom and Louis. Tom caught the bigger waves and impressed the crowd with some death-defying moves to clinch the win.
During the ladies final, argued by some to be highlight of the competition, the biggest sets of the day came through. Rachael Ince (Exeter) risked all to catch the wave of the day, even slicing her lip open in the process to take the win, with myself finishing 2nd and Charlotte Stokes (Southampton) coming in 3rd.
Sunday offered a much more promising forecast, so everyone travelled back to the Bluff for 10am. A similar set of conditions to Saturday morning greeted us but Jim and Ian promised better conditions were on the way and ensured we were all rigged and ready to go. At around 12.30, the wind finally came and with the in-coming tide the waves were improving too, so the heats were drawn and everyone took to the water.
The judging team made up of Sarah, Stefan and Ian commented on the high level of skill shown by all sailors. Due to the onshore conditions, they were judging two wave-rides and one jump. The girls were thrown into the mix with the guys; I really enjoyed competing with the boys and found it really pushed my level. After some last minute deliberation, I opted for my 5.2 Rock and Flare 90 as the wind was very onshore and kept changing. I felt I did some good backside riding but my jumping was quite up to the mark (in hindsight I definitely should have gone for my 4.7!). In the end the women’s result stood with Charlotte Stoke taking 3rd, Rachael Ince 2nd and I took 1st.
The overall result was an extremely tightly fought affair with Will Jones (Cardiff), Mike Ellis (Southampton), Jony Price (Cardiff) and current tour leader Ben Page (Southampton) all making it through to the final. Will was competing on Starboard’s 2013 87 Quad, putting it to great use, nearly landing a few back-loops. However, he couldn’t quite find the consistency he had shown in earlier heats, so took 4th in the final. Mike showed how all his recent time on the water is paying off with a great forward off the lip and some solid wave riding to take 3rd. Jony who has just returned from his storm-chaser mission to Ireland, stole the show when it came to wave-riding, achieving the highest wave score of the day to take 2nd. Ben put in a stellar performance throughout all of his heats and after pulling off the forward of the day in the final and showing some great wave riding skills, he took a much deserved win.
I’m already looking forward to the next SWA wave event hosted by Cardiff University (22nd -24th February) see you there!
Jo Wright
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Tushingham
Become an Instructor in 2013
The RYA run a variety of windsurfing courses, including ones to make you a fully fledged windsurfing instructor. If you’re set to turn over a new leaf in the new year and would like to work within your favourite sport, becoming an instructor is a fantastic idea. Whether you’d like to head abroad for a full season of sun, instruct around prior commitments or simply increase your windsurfing knowledge an instructor course is definitely the way to go.
Instructor courses are run all around the country by various windsurf trainers, take a look at the RYA website for more info and for dates check out this link. Trainer and well known coach, Sam Ross, has recently released the dates of the courses he will be coaching in 2013, it looks like he’s got a rather full calendar!
Boards would especially recommend the courses run at the OTC Puravida Centre in Weymouth, Lagoon Watersports in Brighton and Bray Lake Watersports in Berkshire. So check out the links and get involved!
Want to become an instructor in 2013?
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Boards Windsurfing » Windsurfing News
SWA Wave Series – First Round Portsmouth
The Tushingham team was well represented with Ollie Acton (Solent University) and myself (Exeter University) competing along with Muzza who came down to help run the event, provide demo kit and give advice to all the students.
After some last minute car failure, I drove down on the Saturday morning and met up with Ollie and Adam ‘Chubsy’ Chubbock for a SUP off Hayling Island sea front. The weather was perfect with not a cloud in the sky! Massive thankyou to AndyBiggs Watersports for lending us the Starboard SUPs. There were some small waves breaking just off the sand bar, so we paddled about 20 minutes out and had great fun riding the waves. This was my first time venturing out in waves on a SUP and I now fully understand what all the hype is about – It was awesome!
We then headed into Portsmouth to catch up with the rest of the SWA guys. They had enjoyed a few rounds of Mini-golf, which if you didn’t know already, Carl Lobato (Portsmouth University) proudly won. Back in our hosts houses, we all enjoyed some Dominoes pizza and then donned our Christmas attire ready to dance the night away at ‘The Fleet’!
Jony Price’s (Cardiff Uni) 6.30am alarm went off a little to early for some, but after lots of tea and bacon sandwiches we all headed down to 2XS at West Wittering who were hosting the event. Down at the beach there wasn’t a huge wave, but it seemed to be building, along with the wind.
Jim from Pura Vida who ran the wave competition and is the main sponsor of the series decided that because of the small waves, he would be judging the competitors on overall impression based on one jump. However, after the first heat, it was clear the waves were big enough to ride, so we were now being judged on one jump and one wave ride.
The guys competition was fierce with 16 competitors from various universities. 5.3-5.7 and big boards were the order of the day and due to the flat sections between the waves, a fair few freestyle moves were being thrown into the mix. Ollie Acton sailed on his new 5.5 Rock and 101 Flare and managed to perform some slick jumping along with his usual faultless freestyle moves to take 3rd place. 2nd place went to Adam ‘Chubsy’ Chubbock also from Solent University, who’s solid forwards and slick wave rides saw him progress through top of his heats. New boy on the circuit Ben Page (Southampton University) snuck into 1st place, pulling off some nice forwards on both tacks.
I decided to compete on my Flare 91 over my Evo 71 as the wind seemed quite marginal. I rigged up my 5.2, but for the first time on a 400 mast rather that a 430, which for me gave it a much lighter and forgiving feel. I managed to finish in 1st place ahead of Rach Ince (Exeter University) and Sooz Kellager (Cardiff University).
Massive thank you goes to Jim from Pura Vida for his continued support of the SWA wave series and for organizing another great wave competition. Likewise to Portsmouth Uni for their organization, 2XS for being great hosts, Sam Latham for providing North/Fanatic demo kit and Muzza for all his help! Not forgetting our prize sponsors including Supersaturated, Spartan Wetsuits and Silverstick.
Fingers crossed for a windy Christmas!!!
Jo Wright
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Tushingham
Puravida Wave Trilogy (SWA)
SJ Aerial
Smacking one
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Boards Windsurfing » Windsurfing News
Puravida/Gibson Coaching – Fuerte 2013
Cheers, Jim
Gibbo In Action
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OTC/Puravida Olympic Ceremony
Tris Best reports from Weymouth -
After London’s Olympic Opening Ceremony on Friday, Weymouth hosted its own take of an opening ceremony on Saturday evening from the LIVE site on the beach. The show was called Battle For The Winds and depicted the struggle against the elements to ensure good conditions for the event. We were honoured to be asked to be part of it by show organiser Jon Beedell of the performing company Desperate Men.
Full story here
OTC Olympic Ceremony - Weymouth
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Boards Windsurfing » Windsurfing News
Puravida FREE Windsurf/SUP demo with Sam Ross this Sunday!
When – Sunday 29th July from 10am.
Where – Gwent Adventures, Llandegfedd Reservoir.
What - a family fun and demo day with local BWA Club members helping to get people on the water windsurfing and paddling (SUP).
Get your mates on the water, teach your kids or anyone who wants to have a go. There will be stacks of demo kit from many of the brands available and rigged up to check out and try on the water.
Kit to view and try from -
Boards – Fanatic, Starboard, Mistral, Simmer, Quattro and brand new Patrik boards.
Sails – North, Simmer, Ezzy, Naish and Tushingham.
SUP – Fanatic, Starboard, Naish, O’Shea
There will be a BBQ available from Gwent Adventures, and if the weather does let us down there will be an event marquee, changing rooms and an event shelter in the rigging area to keep everyone dry.
OTC/Puravida – All of the equipment from both centre’s in Weymouth is heading to South Wales and will be available to test and also for sale with many clearance deals.
Wetsuits – there will be a full selection of summer suits available to try and buy.
Puravida Demo Van – (planned but not promised) the boys are working on a kitting out a big wagon with rigged sails and a selection of windsurf boards and SUP’s that can head to the lakes and beaches of the UK which hopefully will be ready for the 29th.
Starboard/Tushingham representative and top windsurf/SUP coach Sam Ross will be on hand with coaching tips.
Sam will be offering free clinic time, demos and rigging advice as well as some SUP coaching for any newcomers to the sport. Sam will also have a selection of demo kit from Starboard and Tushingham to compliment what OTC/Puravida are already bringing.
So far the weekend forecast looks really good with a nice breeze that should work well at the reservoir.
For more info check out the Facebook event page here
Sam Ross demonstrating a new move?
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Boards Windsurfing » Windsurfing News
BSA Weymouth Full Report
Last week we posted the results and a few photos from the BSA at Weymouth, now, as promised, here is the full report from Kev Greenslade and James Dinsmore.
Kev Greenslade runs us through the first windy BSA event of the year:
The waiting was over, after a windless Hayling competition, the forecast for Weymouth promised to deliver.
It was time for the questions would be answered, would Ant Baker’s dominance from last year continue? Who had been training hard? What difference would people’s new gear make? How would the sailors moving up into the pro and amateur fleets fair?
Can Ant Baker reign supreme in 2012?
The new and improved OTC, powered by Puravida Boardriders, were event sponsors with a free hog roast to all competitors, free party and the opportunity to settle any differences on the water, with a gladiator style pugle stick arena, this event was sure to be great fun for all both racing and spectating.
On Friday evening it was hard to imagine what the weekend would bring. Sitting outside the OTC enjoying a chinese, whilst the sun went down over Chesil beach, who knew this would be far from an option come the following morning.
71 competitors woke on Saturday morning, to driving rain and a solid north easterly 14-18 knots. Race officer Paul Sibley set a five buoy downwind slalom course, whilst Brian Tilbury got the master blast fleet underway, making the most of the conditions.
In the masterblaster fleet, with the Page Possie moving up to the race in the amateur fleet there was a new kid on the block in the form off pro kite surfer Dan Sweeny. Obviously having Ant Baker as a boss and windsurfing mentor is paying off for Dan, as he only started windsurfing last year and after a grueling day of 19 races, Dan came out on top in front of Charles Milner and Rob Duggan (nice one Dan!).
I would also like to congratulate the local T15 team, with Joe Adams finishing fourth in his first ever event, Emma Stevenson first lady and second overall, plus Scotty (the legend) Stalman finishing eighth overall at just ten years old, well done team, good work!
All images courtesy of Dave White
The amateur fleet is looking fiercely competitive this year, once everyone gets familiar with the heat system etc this is going to be a hard fleet to call, with several sailors capable of taking top honours.
Simon Langley started where he left off last year with a bullet in the first, only to be overhauled by Lee Marrs in the next two finals. Tony Attfield came good at the end to take third. Well done to Kate Strange, finishing fifth overall and first lady, as well as local Weymouth U17, Tom Wells (OTC/Puravida), both of these youngsters will be ones to watch for events in the future.
All images courtesy of Dave White
Lee Marrs’ two wins meant he took the top prize of the weekend, with one weeks free hire from the OTC in Tenerife, well done Lee!
There has been an obvious absence in the pro fleet so far this year, with Alan “all action” Jackson missing the events, for a good reason though, congratulations to Alan and Caroline on the birth of your son, Rory. Big love from everyone on the BSA circuit, we all look forward to seeing the Jackson family soon.
Close racing at the top of the Pro fleet
The pro fleet kicked off with a bang, with most of the usual suspects progressing through to first final.
Everyone was completely on it from the first start, unfortunately yours truly was out in front when the fleet got recalled. On the re run it was James Dinsmore, who would take the honours, with Si “the Hulk” Cofield hot on his heels.
In the second round, I again found myself out in front, but this time a sloppy gybe gave Ant and James the opportunity to slip past. Round three saw a RS:X star, Sam Sills smoking off the start line, managing to hold his nerve with James and Ant breathing down his neck the whole way round, this left James the overnight leader followed by Ant, then Sam in third.
On to the party, a massive thanks to “party Steve” Howlet who spent his whole Saturday getting the party zone ready for action. At 7pm the pig was ready and the beer began to flow, some chilled tunes were spun on the decks from party Steve, whilst everyone ate. Then the local rock band, The Cheap Shots, got the weary limbs of the racers moving and limbered up for some Gladiator action.
All images courtesy of Dave White
With Mark Steen (from Bustinskins) on the mic, myself and Mistral Simmer team mate Simon “Willie Wonka” Pettifer opened up, but wasn’t long before I found myself on the canvas walking off with my head held low. Si continued to dominate, until he came up against Dave White, who finally beat him in three rounds.
The random name generator then selected Reece White, which made for the Gladiator bout of the evening, with the younger of the mighty Whites coming off best. The band and party continued late into the night. Anyone heading off early for an early night was bitterly disappointed, as outside it blew 50 knot plus and chucked it down with rain, which made sleeping well in a van almost impossible.
Jim Crossly FB quote “Omg shit nights sleep in the van! Now got to rig in 40 odd knots and rain, and slip into a wet wetsuit. Here goes 3 2 1″
The next morning sure delivered wind, and lots of it, with the forecast to drop and swing, the race crew gave the pro fleet the choice of figure of eight in 40-50 knots or wait for the wind to swing and drop a little. The grim prospect of rigging lots of sails in these conditions meant that the majority voted to sit it out and wait.
All images courtesy of Dave White
At 11.00am the decision was made to race regardless, as the wind showed no sign of subsiding. But sure enough, just as the first race was about to start the wind swung and dropped, to nothing. Shortly after this the decision was made that there would be no more racing this weekend, what a way to end great weekend!
I would like to congratulate everyone that took part over the weekend and thank all those who were involved in making it all happen.
See you next time, Kev.
Kev Greensalde is sponsored by OTC, PURAVIDA, SIMMER, MISTRAL, SPARTAN and C3.
James Dinsmore’s view on the weekend and full results on page two…
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